Flossing and dental hygiene

[onela]

Hey, so, I really hate flossing you guys. That said, I have a terrible buildup of ... teeth gunk (for a lacking of technical dental vocabulary) behind my bottom front teeth. A few months ago, I went to the dentist for the first time in ages- I hadn't been able to afford it, and was long overdue. I went to the student dental school and was generally complimented that I have nice teeth (I'm lucky I have good teeth genes, I have strong, straight teeth) but had buildups the size of my teeth which I made the student dentist show me every time he picked something outta there.

So long story short, tell me what you love or hate about dental hygiene (the more disgusting or ridiculous, the more points you get, though it is a bit like whose line is it anyway and the points don't matter). Or tell me your favourite dental hygiene products- anybody using a whitening kit from the drug store and what kind of results are you getting out of that?

 

[Shanazel]

For one looooong year I was an operatory tech for two oral surgeons. The things people grow in their mouths... I would not dream of entering the gross out contest, Onela: professional grossness experience should not be allowed to compete with amateurs.

 

[onela]

For one looooong year I was an operatory tech for two oral surgeons. The things people grow in their mouths... I would not dream of entering the gross out contest, Onela: professional grossness experience should not be allowed to compete with amateurs.

We could have amateur and professional divisions

 

[DancersDad]

Oi, this is a great thread! I used to get yelled at all the time for using an electronics scribe (metal rod with two sharpened, pointy ends designed for scratching lines in metal) for cleaning the plaque from the edges of my teeth. They were always clean but I, as you, hate flossing but the scribe didn't bother me. And . . . why can't they make bacon flavored toothpaste?? I'd sure brush more often!

dus'

 

[PracticalDancer]

First, in case you cannot tell from my posts (and I don't know how you could miss this), I am a rather retentive person. Clean teeth is part of my OCD routine.

When I started working, many years ago, I was in sales -- car sales. As a result, I sat in very tight spaces with people and became very aware of how important it was to not only GET clean in the morning, but to STAY clean during the day. Other people's body odor and bad breath are just magnified when you have to stay nice to someone because you want them to buy something from you.

As a result, I started carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste with me EVERYWHERE, and I brush my teeth after EVERY time I eat. Now, the Dentist actually has to tell me to be more gentle when I brush and to use sensitivity toothpaste, because I have a habit of over cleaning! :lol:

 

[Greek Bonfire]

I have to brag. I have been flossing regularly more years than I can remember and I have the world's "prettiest" gums. In addition, they are so strong that when the dentist had to move my gums down to put in a crown, they were really hard for him to move. He was amazed and very pleased. Also, it really does prevent plaque and tooth decay. In later years, the problems you could get from not flossing are really serious so I am trying really hard to avoid them. It used to be a pain but I got so used to it that I now think nothing of it.

 

[MissVega]

LOL I hate the dentist. Nothing personal, its just that visits are usually painful for me

As a farm girl I have chipped/cracked my share of teeth. My 4 front teeth are bonded on top, to cover up/even out chips from falling off of horses/4 wheelers.. my own 2 feet.

I had broken my nose twice in my youth and never had it reset properly.. fast forward years later and I kept getting respiratory infections and was always sick. Then I got a massaive sinus/gum/tooth infection, septic shock had 3 root canals After that I went to see a specialist since my dentist couldn't figure out what the issue was since I do look after my teeth. The ortholarynologist (spelling??) took one look up my nose and said taht was the issue. So I have had 2 reconstructive surgeries on my nose. And what a difference I never knew how little I was breathing through my nose until it was fixed! Anyway don't get sick nearly as much now but the whole experience was a very painful one.

The first root canal that they did, I wouldn't freeze so I felt it all LOL. It was just a stressful and painful time so I have a negative association with dentists. PLus I have a sweet tooth lol and soft teeth run in my family. Ohh so many cavities lol.

 

[Daimona]

Onela: It is probably calculus that builds up at the back of your front teeth. Flossing is said to reduce its appearance and it is important that you floss regularly once it is removed because it is damned difficult to remove it yourself when it builds up again.

If you don't like having your fingers in your mouth while flossing I would recommend floss picks or floss wands.

I visit my dentist once a year to remove calculus build-up. It doesn't matter how much I brush or floss as it appears anyway (ok, I could have been a better at flossing - but I keep forgetting it *sigh*). Off course I could have tried to remove it mechanically myself, but I'm not too keen on possibly damaging the enamel on my teeth, so I'll leave it to the dentist. Although, I have noticed a difference in its appearance due to changes in oral chemistry (i.e. it depends a lot on what I eat/drink).
I went to my dentist last Friday. No cavities and compliments for nice and healthy teeth in general. Yay!


Yesterday's Wulffmorgenthaler comic:

 

[Harry]

Interesting thread...

I visit my dentist every six months, spending most of the time with the hygienist (she's really cute ). My last visit was just a little over two weeks ago. She didn't do as much digging around in my mouth as she had in the past, which led me to ask, "What am I doing right?" :lol: Previous visits included friendly lectures about flossing, but none this time.

Anyway, I left with a dental diagnosis of "disgustingly good condition"... My dentist hopes that not everybody does as well as I or he will have to find a different line of work.

My brushing, flossing, AND mouthwashing are only once a day. As well, I agree with Daimona that what I eat and drink has an influence on dental condition (FYI, I simply love beer and pretzels).

 

[Jeanne]

Every time I go to my dental hygeinist, she fills me full of advice and information about keeping the teeth clean. Last time I went she had apparently been to some kind of seminar recently, and learned all kinds of things about how keeping the teeth and mouth free from bad bacteria is very important not just for your teeth but also many other aspects of your health, even things like cardiovascular health.

She really emphasizes flossing because it takes care of areas that you can't reach by just brushing. So do it! She also recommended that I clean my tongue with a tongue scraper, which I have started doing.

 

[Harry]

Every time I go to my dental hygeinist, she fills me full of advice and information about keeping the teeth clean. Last time I went she had apparently been to some kind of seminar recently, and learned all kinds of things about how keeping the teeth and mouth free from bad bacteria is very important not just for your teeth but also many other aspects of your health, even things like cardiovascular health.

She really emphasizes flossing because it takes care of areas that you can't reach by just brushing. So do it! She also recommended that I clean my tongue with a tongue scraper, which I have started doing.

Interesting... I don't recall ever hearing anything about tongue scraping... I think that might one of those things that is influenced by a) diet, and, b) individual body chemistry.

On the cardiovascular aspect, I agree (I'm an atherosclerosis patient).

 

[Greek Bonfire]

I've heard about tongue scraping since I was little. It is a good idea. Hey, anything to keep out of that chair!

 

[Shanazel]

My dentist is retiring. He has been our dentist and our very good personal friend for thirty years. As a friend, I am delighted for him. As a patient, I am heartbroken for me! Don't know why he doesn't hang on a little longer- he's not even 80 yet.

 

[da Sage]

My dentist is retiring. He has been our dentist and our very good personal friend for thirty years. As a friend, I am delighted for him. As a patient, I am heartbroken for me! Don't know why he doesn't hang on a little longer- he's not even 80 yet.

Our family's dentist stayed in business forever. At one point he stopped drilling...would send patients to a colleague if they needed work done. Eventually he retired completely.